Adaptor for forming a branch in a conduit

Abstract

An adaptor for forming a branch in a conduit is shaped and dimensioned to slide onto a cylindrical conduit. The adaptor includes a collar having an outer generally circumferentially extending wall, end walls and a cylindrical passage extending between the end walls. The passage has an inner wall and an opening at each end, and spaced resiliently deformable sealing means adjacent each opening. The sealing means is positioned to provide a seal between the collar and the cylindrical conduit when the adaptor is slidingly engaged with the cylindrical conduit. The collar includes at least one fluid flow passage extending between the outer wall and the inner wall.

1 . An adaptor for forming a branch in a conduit, the adaptor being shaped and dimensioned to slide onto a cylindrical conduit and including a collar having an outer generally circumferentially extending wall, end walls and a cylindrical passage extending between the end walls, the passage having an inner wall and an opening at each end, and 
 spaced resiliently deformable sealing means adjacent each opening,-the sealing means being positioned to provide a seal between the collar and the cylindrical conduit when the adaptor is slidingly engaged with the cylindrical conduit.    
     
     
         2 . An adaptor as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the collar includes at least one fluid flow passage extending between the outer wall and the inner wall.  
     
     
         3 . An adaptor as claimed in  claim 2  in which the fluid flow passage is a threaded opening.  
     
     
         4 . An adaptor as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the inner wall of the passage includes a pair of circumferentially extending spaced grooves and in which the resiliently deformable sealing means is in the form of O-rings provided in the grooves.  
     
     
         5 . An adaptor as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the inner wall of the passage has an annular recess between the sealing means.  
     
     
         6 . An adaptor as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the fluid flow passage is connected to a secondary conduit.  
     
     
         7 . An adaptor as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the fluid flow passage is connected to a fogging or spray nozzle.  
     
     
         8 . An adaptor as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the collar is made from a material selected from brass, bronze, stainless steel and plastics materials.  
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a branch in a conduit, the method including the steps of 
 slidingly locating a collar over an opening through a wall of a conduit;    providing a seal between the collar and the conduit on either side of the opening with resiliently deformable sealing means; and    forming at least one fluid flow passage to extend through the collar so that a fluid flow path is formed between the opening in the wall of the conduit and the flow passage.    
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , in which the collar has a cylindrical passage with opposed circular collar openings and the conduit is a cylindrical conduit and the seal is provided adjacent the collar openings.  
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , which includes the step of connecting one of a spray nozzle, a fogging nozzle or a secondary conduit to the or each fluid flow passage.  
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , in which the resiliently deformable sealing means is provided by O-rings.  
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , in which connecting the spray nozzle, fogging nozzle or secondary conduit includes forming a thread in the or each fluid flow passage and screw-threadedly attaching the spray nozzle, fogging nozzle or secondary conduit to the passage.  
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a branch in a conduit, the method including the steps of 
 slidingly locating a collar on a conduit having a conduit wall;    providing a pair of spaced apart seals between the collar and the conduit wall with resiliently deformable sealing means; and    forming at least one fluid flow passage to extend through the collar and the conduit wall so that a fluid flow path is formed between the inside of the conduit and the fluid flow passage.    
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the collar has a cylindrical passage with opposed circular collar openings and the conduit is a cylindrical conduit and the seal is provided adjacent the collar openings.  
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , which includes the step of connecting one of a spray nozzle, a fogging nozzle or a secondary conduit to the or each fluid flow passage.  
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the resiliently deformable sealing means is provided by O-rings.  
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , in which connecting the spray nozzle, fogging nozzle or secondary conduit includes forming a thread in the or each fluid flow passage and screw-threadedly attaching the spray nozzle, fogging nozzle or secondary conduit to the passage.  
     
     
         19 . An adaptor for forming a branch in a conduit, the adaptor being shaped and dimensioned to slide onto a cylindrical conduit and including a collar having an outer generally circumferentially extending wall, end walls and a cylindrical passage extending between the end walls, the passage having an inner wall and an opening at each end, and 
 spaced receiving formations adjacent each opening which are shaped and dimensioned to receive resiliently deformable sealing means.    
     
     
         20 . An adaptor as claimed in  claim 19  in which the receiving formations are in the form of a pair of grooves for receiving resiliently deformable sealing means in the form of O-rings.  
     
     
         21 . A kit for use in assembling a fogging installation or a spraying installation, the kit including a plurality of adaptors as claimed in  claim 1 , and a plurality of nozzles.  
     
     
         22 . A kit for use in assembling a fogging installation or a spraying installation, the kit including a plurality of adaptors as claimed in  claim 19 , a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of O-rings.  
     
     
         23 . A kit as claimed in  claim 21 , which includes at least one length of conduit.  
     
     
         24 . A kit as claimed in  claim 22 , which includes at least one length of conduit.  
     
     
         25 . A fogging or spraying installation which includes at least one water conduit a plurality of adaptors as claimed in  claim 1 , secured to the or each conduit and a plurality of nozzles secured to the adaptors.